Few would have expected Cedric Soares to re-establish himself in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans after he was loaned out to Inter Milan in January.

The experienced defender did not appear to be under consideration by the Austrian, who showed no hesitation in sending him to Italy, instead favouring Yan Valery as his preferred right wing-back.

Hasenhuttl’s thinking followed a similar pattern at the start of the season. Valery played in each of Southampton’s first three matches but was hooked just minutes into the second half of the 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

His withdrawal was more a reflection of the team adopting a forward-thinking approach than a sleight on his performance. Moussa Djenepo entered the fray to provide Saints with what would ultimately prove to be the decisive spark in the final third, but Valery has not played since.

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Hasenhuttl has given Cedric his chance to shine, and the European Championship winner has grasped the opportunity with both hands. He turned in a solid performance in the 1-0 win over Fulham in the Carabao Cup and proceeded to start as Saints drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Just how the boss set his side up for the trip to Sheffield United could have been indicative of the pecking order that he currently observes, with his two right-backs competing for starting berths in the team. Hasenhuttl opted to play Cedric, leaving Valery on the bench, and the 28-year-old’s exceptional performance vindicated his decision.

He initially started in his favoured role on the right-hand side, but as Djenepo struggled to deal with the Blades’ lofted balls in behind him at left wing-back, Cedric had no qualms about moving over to the opposite flank.

As such, James Ward-Prowse shifted over to the right, and Djenepo advanced into a more attacking position; again, the forward-thinking approach paid dividends, as the Malian netted a decisive goal on the road once more.

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Such flexibility is an under-appreciated and unique quality, but it is one that Hasenhuttl will undoubtedly value immensely. The manager’s desire to have multiple systems that his men are capable of functioning within has been well documented and visible throughout, evidenced by his rotation between 5-3-2, 3-4-3 and 4-2-2-2 formations in the opening exchanges of the season.

Therefore, possessing a player who is adept at functioning in several roles at a high level is not something to be taken lightly, and Cedric’s return has enabled the Austrian to set his side up with the requisite flexibility to transition between shapes and positions during matches. Saints have been guilty of taking a reactive approach to closely-contested fixtures over recent seasons, but Hasenhuttl is clearly placing emphasis on a proactive, adaptable approach in the Premier League.

A strong case can be made to suggest that Cedric is currently Saints’ best right-back; another could be made to go as far as claiming that he’s the most suitable option for the club on the left, with Ryan Bertrand currently not fancied by the boss.

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The Portugal international covered space intelligently and made good decisions in possession. When Oliver Norwood drifted into halfspaces to attempt to pull the strings for Sheffield United, Cedric was able to quickly close him down and ensure that the hosts’ supply of chances was limited as the game progressed.

Whether or not he is regarded as a long-term option by Hasenhuttl remains to be seen; after all, he is now 28 and has under a year remaining on his contract. Valery is also still very much in the running for a starring role in the manager’s plans for many seasons to come.

However, for the here and now, at the very least, Cedric’s importance should not be underestimated, and it is looking increasingly like the decision to retain his services in the summer was a wise one.

Would you give Cedric a new deal?

Yes

No